| Author | Message | ||
    Linda Williams |
Marc, I've noticed several posts that do not appear under "last day." I don't find them unless I look under "last week." As I check the board on a daily basis, is there some reason for this? Linda | ||
Brock Bradford |
Hello Marc, I also experience the same as Linda. Thanks Brock | ||
Jean Pierre Lagasse |
Hi Linda, Possibly a result of the "message queuing" feature in the professional version Discus software. In this version, Messages show up on a "queue" for evaluation by the moderators before being placed on the forum itself. When a moderator places a message on the forum from the "queue", it's date might stay the same as when originally posted, even a day or two later. I have never worked directly with this version, so the above is a possibility (from my point of view) only. Pierre | ||
Lonnie Morton |
Dear Moderator, The new layout for this forum, which was put in a few days ago, seems harder to read and is straining my eyes. Has anyone else experienced this, or is it just me? If so, can it be put back the way it was before with the bolder print and highlights? Regards, Lonnie | ||
Savio |
Hi Lonnie Me too! I find it is difficult to tell which thread has been read or which has not been read. | ||
Mark Campbell |
I agree with Lonnie and Savio .The highlights made it easier to keep track of which posts had already been read .Sometimes a post will be added from a week earlier with the past date on it , and still be a new unread message . Those would likely go unread the way it is now . many Thanks , Mark | ||
Marc Juliano |
Hi Mark, Savio and Lonnie, I'll find out more details about the Forum style changes and report it back here. Marc | ||
Linda Williams |
Hello Marc, In addition to the forum style changes, can you update us as to the forum restructuring that you mentioned several weeks ago? Thanks, Linda | ||
Jean Pierre Lagasse |
Hi all, I'm going to try to stay "on topic" this time! From what I know of the "freeware version" of Discus I'm familiar with, an "assigned moderator" can edit posts within his/her assigned topic without having to use that little "edit icon" on the right. I don't know if FIGU's Discus version behaves the same as the freeware version, though. I have not been able to edit my posts using this icon (or otherwise), & it's real function is a mystery to me, presently. Perhaps, this post should go under the "Mysteries" topic instead!! | ||
Norm |
JPL, All the moderaters need to do is set the time limit from 0 to 30 mins, or what ever limit they want. | ||
Jean Pierre Lagasse |
Hi Norm, all, My thought as well. I wonder if the message queing feature & associated post times might interfere somehow with this timer for some users? There could be some other reason as well. Myself, I'm simply not familiar with the "works side" of the Discus version FIGU uses. I usually preview ("Preview/Post Message") my posts several times before finally posting ("Post this Message") it. For big posts, I'll use Word beforehand to check spelling, wording etc. Cutting & pasting word documents onto the "Add a Message" box, however, sometimes produces "control codes" which must be edited out again. Somehow, something always creeps in, though...!! While I'm at it, how do you guys get that yellow background happy face into your posts??? I'm sure this was explained before... I should have paid more attention. J | ||
Mark Campbell |
Hi ; The problem that I have in keeping up with the newest postings , is that they don't change color when you have visited them in this new version - so I click on them several times within the same day only to find there are no new messages .Does anyone else find this annoying ? | ||
Michael |
Hi Mark, Yes, I do. Michael | ||
Norm |
I have the posts emailed to me. | ||
Stephan |
Hi all, I am the bad guy doing the administration of this board (from time to time)... Let me give you some answers: Yes, the design changed. The intention was to make browsing through the board easier, not more complicate. Thanks to your comments. Right now I did some updates. The already visited links show up in a highlighted way again and will not "hover". Give me some comments about that style, please. Lonnie, the font style did not change nor all other board colors did. What do you feel, is hard to read, exactly? Linda, the problem you described has been well explained by Jean-Pierre. When a post gets queued it has to be approved by a moderator (usually Marc). When he is very busy (and he is  ) it may need some days to get published. But, you can apply for get a registered user and then publish your posts directly. Jean Pierre, we use the Discus Professional Version (just to help you with your support ). I deleted the "Edit your post" icon. We don't use that feature. It is just confusing. Salome and thanks, Stephan P.S. And again, do not hesitate to give your comments... | ||
Mark Campbell |
Hello Stephan ; Actually , that makes you a good guy .Thanks for your help . I still don't see the visited as highlighted ~ it's only dark blue , before and after the visit . Salome and many thanks , Mark | ||
Savio |
Hi Stephan I notice that the visited links do change colour slightly on IE but not on Netscape. How about making the colour change a bit more eye catching? Regards Savio | ||
Stephan |
Thanks for your comments. Mark, I guess you're using Netscape, which explains a lot. Netscape has a complete different understanding of CSS than IE has .. which means, that it cannot display the links the way I wanted. Mea culpa. So, I had to deactivate CSS more or less completely. Now, unvisited links are displayed in default color, visited links in dark blue and active links (when you actually click on them) are highlighted. Hope that fits the needs of most people. Tell me if not .. Salome, Stephan By the way: Using the "Search Board by Date" function with username and password combination is much more efficient than looking at visited links ... | ||
Norm |
Stephan, "I deleted the "Edit your post" icon. We don't use that feature. It is just confusing." Its confusing because its disabled. Why is it disabled? I would rather have at least 30 min. to correct my post, than have to make another post saying I'm correcting it. This feature is great to use on other forums, but here its disabled. Especially for forum that prides itself on being correct. | ||
Mark Campbell |
Stephan , it works perfectly now , thanks . Salome , Mark | ||
Lonnie Morton |
Hi Stephan, Thanks for your fine work and thoughtfulness. We all appreciate your help in making this forum enjoyable. I understand that the font size has not changed. When I click on to a particular post there is no problem it is the same as before. But, when first logging on to the forum main page everything seems a little smaller and thinner than before. However, the colors and highlights are nice. Lonnie | ||
Jean Pierre Lagasse |
Hi Stephen, Looks good to me...!! Thanx !! While we have your attention, under "Formatting", the "\ clipart{Clipart File Name}" info section... the "Inserts clipart (see index)" gives a "page not found" message when I click on "index"... This does not matter so much, but I'm still trying to figure out how to get the yellow happy face into my posts...!!! J Salome, Pierre | ||
Jean Pierre Lagasse |
Hi Stephan, My apologies... *s* Peirre | ||
Stephan |
Hi there, thanks for your comments. Lonnie, maybe this is a psychological issue, because the links are not underlined anymore. Anything else didn't change. Norm, registered users may now edit their own posts within 30 minutes. Of course, this isn't possible if the topic requires moderator approval of user's posts (queued messages). Jean-Pierre, I never checked out that clipart stuff. But, it seems you got that "smiley" issue finally. Salome, Stephan | ||
Stephan |
See also this discussion. | ||
Norm |
Stephan, Awesome thanks! | ||
Lonnie Morton |
Hi Stephan, The layout can have a psychological effect. When the underlining was taken out, I felt something was missing. Lonnie | ||
Jean Pierre Lagasse |
Wow, do I ever like that edit button... Thanks & as Norm said... "Awesome". JP | ||
Linda |
Marc and Passive Members, Doesn't the existence of your own "private" area quell the recent hullabaloo on the forum? You have an opportunity to discuss Billy's material at length, with sophistication, with relevance, with an acceptable caliber, and without the pesky annoyance of "newcomers" or "others" who are lively, curious, questioning, challenging, but perhaps not as informed as you or as like-minded as you? I would think so. Then, I have to ask what is your problem with or solution for an open forum in a non-passive member area, i.e. this current discussion forum? Sincerely, Linda | ||
Marc Juliano |
Hi Linda, I'm not sure if I understand your point as to how a private area for Passive Members is supposed to resolve the issues in the forum. Writing posts that truly respect the thoughts and beliefs of others and enhance the learning experiences with regard to FIGU material is the fairly rudimentary prerequisite and applies to everyone in the entire forum. The Passive Member (PM) area provides a few extra functions besides perhaps being conducive to more in-depth discussion of e.g. spiritual topics, etc. It allows PMs to plan annual meetings, PM newsletters, and may even let those who personally meet each other, e.g. at the FIGU Center, to share experiences and so forth. These are just some items that remain in a separate area for those who are at this level of involvement in the FIGU (which of course anyone can choose to attain on their own volition.) The Discussion Board is not your typical "open forum." If it were, it might as well be an IRC chat channel for instance. This forum is treated all too many times as such a channel where each post, in and of itself, either says, instructs, or inquires nothing of substance with regards FIGU, but is what might be categorized as "small talk." Such talk is best suited for e-mail or quite plainly...somewhere else. The forum has its specific focus and purpose which has been stated many times. Newcomers and veterans alike must either have something of substance to contribute to this learning experience and/or relevant, sincere questions to ask. As I mentioned earlier, if one doesn't have anything to share at this moment, either due to lack of enough literature (there is plenty of English information available) or an overall lack of knowledge of the material, then it is suggested that they first try to obtain and study the available information from FIGU-Switzerland, FIGU Society USA, etc. If the English forum should go days or weeks at a time without posts due to there not being a whole lot to contribute...this is quite alright! You should consider the following as well as everyone else that visits this forum: The FIGU material comprises many, many thousands of pages of information in the German language that could be read, digested and discussed by many people who read and write in the German language. However if you go into the German FIGU forum, you'll see that the amount of posts barely reach even a small fraction of the amount of posts that used to pass through the English side. Why? Because it is much more focused discussion on the FIGU, their literature, the spiritual teachings, and so on, without all the miscellaneous talk. I'm sure you're aware that there exist online chat rooms and open forums that you and others could easily jump into and have a more casual discussion about your life, your experiences, current events with or without any relevance to FIGU information. Maybe these venues are what should be sought after? Simply put, the solution is precisely what is now transpiring: All posts will be reviewed before they are placed on this Discussion Board. Thanks for your questions. Regards, Marc | ||
Anthony Alagna |
Hello Marc, I agree with you that people here need to do as much research into the FIGU information as possible before they post. It might help if people tried to concentrate on backing up their comments with quotations or at least just a FIGU source. But what harm is there in “small talk,” between Billy Meier people? It would seem that even casual conversation between individuals preoccupied with the Mission could be significant? This is supposed to be science right? Where do you draw the line on what belongs here? I mean the FIGU is pretty much about the Universe. Since when is the popularity of the English- peaking forum, I mean the huge amount of postings compared to German, a problem? Instead of thinking of the glass as half empty, why not think of it as half full? Running out of server space, are we? Why aren’t ya’ll thinking of ways to solve this problem instead of complaining, and placing limitations on, the huge amount of interest here? Did it ever occur to you that people pre-occupied with the FIGU have a need to be around other Billy Meier people? Perhaps this forum goes beyond the individual and supports the community? Perhaps, all this forum is lacking is leadership and a sense of direction? Best regards, Anthony | ||
James the truthseeker |
Greetings Anothony and Marc, May I now suggest a "delete" or "clean-up" of all unnecessary posts which where previously posted off topic during and previous to the fiasco which eventually took place here. Next, may I suggest a "small talk" area of posts which would be temparary on the board for no more then 2-3 weeks. After this time period, a number of posts can be deleted again on a weekly basis. Finally, may I suggest that if all post now be posted only through the "queue", that such set-up still allow us access to our personal profiles. Apparently there is a way to set up discusware which will allow people to post only to the queue to be reviewed by moderators, but still with the use of usernames and access to personal profiles. Also if possible, we need an online spell checker. As I've posted to this forum many times through the queue for over a year before actually aquiring a username, I also found that pictures could only be added to the posts by sending it to the queue in the first place anyway. It's interesting that the "eduardmeier.org" forum also only has a small fraction of posts compared to this forum. Just my suggestions, James |
